Orange County

Suspect Powder a Common Cleaner

A white powder sprinkled in envelopes and mailed with threatening letters to six government buildings in Santa Ana last month was mostly laundry detergent, FBI officials said Wednesday.

Tests determined that the detergent was Clorox 2 mixed with cinnamon, said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.

The letters, containing unspecified threats, were discovered about lunchtime July 20 at the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the district attorney's office, sparking evacuation of hundreds of employees.

Similar letters were found later that day at the county Probation Department, county Hall of Administration, Santa Ana City Hall and the state building, officials said.

The letter to the Sheriff's Department contained "derogatory words and a couple of indirect threats," said department spokesman Jim Amormino.